A learning support worker at a Cardiff school shared details of her personal history during a sex education class 'when it was not necessary,' a professional standards hearing has been told. Claire Townsend, who worked at Willows High School in Splott, also joined a pupil WhatsApp group using her personal phone number, against school safeguarding rules, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) fitness to practise panel heard.
Allegations of inappropriate WhatsApp group chat
The hearing, held remotely on July 13, was told that Townsend gave a female pupil, referred to as Pupil A, her personal mobile number so the pupil could add her to a WhatsApp group chat containing other pupils. Townsend had completed all school safeguarding training and knew she should never have shared her number or joined the chat, according to the panel.
Headteacher Chris Norman became aware of the group chat and asked the school's safeguarding lead, Michelle Mackintosh, to inquire whether Townsend was a member. At first, Townsend denied it, then said a pupil had added her, and later became 'vague,' Miss Mackintosh told the hearing.
When inappropriate messages were subsequently shared by pupils on the chat, Townsend knew she should have reported them but did not, the panel was told. She allegedly stayed in the group for about a month between July and August 2024.
Messages sent during the chat
During that time, Townsend is said to have sent one or more messages ending with 'x' or 'xx' and/or sent messages outside term-time or during the evening. When a pupil messaged saying 'I touch myself,' Townsend allegedly responded: 'I am here guys but honestly I’m not going to get offended by any of your messages I know it’s just banter etc ... and to be honest (name redacted) someone has to do it!'
In another instance, after a pupil's message was deleted, Townsend allegedly wrote: 'I’m still still here guys!! To be honest 80% of what you send I do not understand I won’t get offended so carry on doing what youre doing and I’ll just watch!!!!x'
The panel heard that Townsend should have reported the inappropriate content to Mr Norman or Miss Mackintosh and admitted her involvement. Her failure to do so breached the school’s safeguarding training and child protection policy, the EWC alleged.
Other alleged misconduct
Apart from the group chat, the panel heard that on one or more occasions between March 2023 and June 2024, Townsend shouted or raised her voice at pupils in class when it was neither required nor appropriate. She also allegedly spoke to pupils in a frustrated, sarcastic, patronising, or confrontational tone.
It is further alleged that Townsend referred to pupils as 'lovely' or 'darling' while sanctioning them and told pupils she would give them demerits or send them to the alternate provision centre when this was not warranted.
On the sex education class allegation, Townsend is said to have shared unnecessary personal history during a lesson on or around November 16, 2023.
School investigation and hearing
The school launched an internal investigation when the group chat came to light, and the matter was referred to the EWC. Townsend was neither present nor represented at the hearing, which continues.
